6 Things We Learned from Hayden Christensen's Keynote at FAN EXPO New Orleans

Jan 15, 2026

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 9: Actor Hayden Christensen performs on stage during FAN EXPO 2026 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on January 9, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

The Chosen One himself, Hayden Christensen, was a special guest at this weekend's FAN EXPO in New Orleans, during which the fan-favorite star of Star Warstold some interesting things about a galaxy far, far away.

Here are 6 things we learned from Hayden Christensen's talk at the FAN EXPO in New Orleans.

1. Robert De Niro visited the set of the film Revenge of the Sith

Haden Christensen said that Oscar winner Robert De Niro visited the set of "Revenge of the Sith" during the filming of Obi-Wan and Anakin's duel. “Robert De Niro showed up on set,” Christensen recalls. “I remember standing with Ewan, and Ewan said, 'Is this Robert De Niro?' We were glad to have him there and then he came over and was very friendly. I remember I did a lot of push-ups before each take to get my heart rate up and get a little tired, and he said, “You know, I see how you do push-ups before takes. I do that too.” It was nice.”

However, this was not De Niro's first experience with Star Wars. The Raging Bull actor was reportedly offered the role of Han Solo in the original film, but turned it down.

2. Anakin's tear was improvised.

One of the most touching, if not always impressive, scenes in Revenge of the Sith could have looked completely different. After Matthew Stover revealed that the scene of Anakin's reflection in the Jedi Temple was not in the original script, Christensen admitted that he improvised a tear running down his cheek.

“The breakup was not planned or scripted,” Christensen said. “It just happened naturally.” George [Lucas] said, 'I like it. Let's keep it that way.'"

3. Hayden Christensen injured Ian McDiarmid during filming

While filming the scene aboard the Invisible Hand in which Anakin frees Palpatine from his shackles, Hayden Christensen accidentally injures his co-star Ian McDiarmid.

“I got too close to him and ended up cutting him on the forehead, right between the eyes,” Christensen said. “A very, very dangerous place to strike.”

4. Hayden Christensen knows a lot about prequel memes!

If you've spent any time on the internet in the last 10 years, you've almost certainly come across a meme or two about the prequels. Well, so does Hayden Christensen. During the panel, the actor who played Anakin Skywalker expressed his love for memes about the prequel trilogy.

"There's a scene that has become the basis for a lot of memes where we're in a grass field on Naboo," Christensen said. “Some memes are just great.”

5. Anakin's hair in Revenge of the Sith is artificial.

I don’t want to upset anyone, but Anakin’s luxurious hair in the third episode is not real. Hayden Christensen noted during the discussion that he was allowed to keep one of the wigs he wore in the film. “I kept one of the wigs from episode three. Honestly, this is not my real hair.”

6.Hayden's favorite scenes to film include Anakin's darkest scenes.

Across four films (yes, we're including the finale of Return of the Jedi and voice work in The Rise of Skywalker) and two television series, Hayden Christensen has played his fair share of scenes as Anakin and Darth Vader. But most of all, the Canadian actor liked the scenes in which Anakin gradually plunged into the darkness of his inner world.

“Honestly, what I liked most was showing this transition [from light to dark] and probably demonstrating the loss of innocence,” Christensen reflected. “There are very specific moments in Episodes II and III where you see that innocence being taken away from him. For example, when his mother dies, and that shot where he carries her in his arms. There's a lot going on in Anakin's head at that moment. Or inEpisode IIIwhen he goes to talk to Yoda, tells him about his fears and asks for advice, and Yoda just says, “Tough luck for you, kid.”

You can watch the full recording of the performance at FAN EXPO in New Orleans here.